Social Security Numbers

This is an archival or historical document and may not reflect current policies or procedures.

The Social Security Card

Fred Happel of Albany, N.Y. designed the original Social
Security card back in 1936. He was commissioned by the Social Security
Board to submit three designs, one of which was ultimately selected.
Mr. Happel was paid $60 for his work. (Mr. Happel was a skilled artist
who also designed the famous "Flying Tigers" logo used by
General Chennault's forces during World War II.)

In 1985, Mr. Happel's surviving niece, Emily Bailey of Greensboro,
Maryland, donated the original artwork for the card to SSA's History
Room in Baltimore.

Former Commissioner of SSA Martha
McSteen (left) and former SSA Historian, Sid Leibovitz (center), receive
a donation to the History Room of the original artwork done by Fred
Happel, from his niece, Emily Bailey. 1985. SSA History Archives.

Important Information:

Other Government Websites:

Follow:

External Link Disclaimer

You are exiting the Social Security Administration's website.

Select OK to proceed.

Disclaimer

The Social Security Administration (SSA) website contains links to websites not affiliated with the United States government. These may include State and Local governmental agencies, international agencies, and private entities.

SSA cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by such websites. If we provide a link to such a website, this does not constitute an endorsement by SSA or any of its employees of the information or products presented on the non-SSA website.

Also, such websites are not within our control and may not follow the same privacy, security or accessibility policies. Once you visit such a website, you are subject to the policies of that site.